Duplicate bridge scoring aid



AWD @D DDD?" 11 HA FLAM DUPLICATE BRIDGE SCORING AID Filed May 4, 1.954

United States Patent O 3,314,693 DUPLICATE BRIDGE SCORING AID Frederick H. Flam, 4510 Callada Place, Tarzana, Calif. 91356 Filed May 4, 1964, Ser. No. 364,567 9 Claims. (Cl. 283-49) This invention relates to duplicate bridge.

Duplicate bridge tournaments are becoming increasingly popular. Attendance is ever increasing. IIn a large tournament there may be as many as six, seven or eight hundred tables of bridge simultaneously in play, sixteen or eighteen playing sessions of three or four hours each. There are tournaments simultaneously scheduled, most of which are single session events. The number of tables to be in play during any one session and the identication of the entrants are normally unknown until the time that the tournament session actually begins by play of the cards. If the tournament is scheduled for 1:30 in the afternoon, for example, entrance forms are sold perhaps beginning at 12:30 of that afternoon. The entrance form identities the table to which the entrants are to go and the direction in which they are to play. For example, an entrance fee form may say 3-D East- West which means that the pair buying that entrance certificate will commence play at table 3 in section D. Just prior to the play, players lill out the entrance certificate by placing their names and code numbers, and after the first round of play begins, score Caddies collect them and take them to typists. The typists prepare lists in duplicate of the entrants in accordance with the sections and direction of play. These lists are given to the scorers. One of them is pasted up on the recap or tally sheets showing the results of the tournament. When the scorer enters the final score of the entrants opposite their numbers, then the duplicate list is again taken to typists. A result sheet is prepared identifying the players who placed in the tournament. These result sheets are then transmitted to the sponsoring organization so that suitable prizes may be awarded and the names of the winners published.

Furthermore, the individual entrants use a private Score so that they can keep track of their results as the tournament is played. These private scores are usually distributed by score caddies in quantities of two or four per table.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a new device avoiding the labor of distributing private scores, collecting entrance forms and typing lists of entrants and results.

In order to achieve this result, I provide an entrance form which comprises two parts: a private score part and an entrance form part. The respective parts are detachably secured together by the aid of perforations. The composite entrance forms are available at registration desks so that the players ll them out prior to the time that they pay their fee for entering the tournament. the entrance form part, the players write their names, addresses and other identification. The composite form with the appropriate fee is taken to the cashier. By the aid of a stamping machine, or the like, the cashier prints the table assignment on both parts. The entrance form part is detached and retained by the cashier, and the private score part is given to the entrants as a receipt. The imprinted matter includes a number which designates a table assignment.

Another object of this invention is to provide composite forms of this character so arranged that they may be assembled together to form a list of entrants without requiring any typing procedure whatsoever.

Another object of this invention is to provide composite entrance forms of this character in which the entrance form part can be separated from the list for transmlssion to the sponsoring organization, thus obviating the preparation of a result sheet.

Another object of this invention is to provide an entrance form which materially reduces the quantity of paper required for running a duplicate bridge tournament.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and

of one embodiment of For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification, and which drawings are true scale. This form Will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a plan View of the composite entrance form;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevational View of the receipted private score part of the fonm;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a series of the entrance parts of the form strung together;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken along a plane corresponding to line 4-4 of FIG. 1, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along a plane corresponding to line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

In FIG. 1 the entrance form 10` is illustrated that comprises two parts, a private score part `11 and an entrance part 12. These parts may be made from a single piece of suitable paper material, such as card stoc The form 10 is substantially rectangular. Extending across the form is a perforation 13 at which the entrance part 12 and private score part 1li are respectively separable. The private score part carries on one side suitable legends whereby the players can post the various conventions played in accordance with the rules and regulations of the sponsoring organization.

Extending on the entrance part 12 parallel to the perforation 13 and closely adjacent to it is a horizontal line 14 divided by three vertical lines 1S, 16 and 17. The distance between the line 14 and the perforation 13 preferably corresponds to the standard double spacing of a typewriter; namely, one-third of an inch. The lines 14, 15, 16 and 17 define four rectangular areas 18, 19, 20 and 21. The boxes 18 and 19 provide spaces for printing the names of the entrants and as indicated by the legends 22 and 23. The rectangles 20 and 21 are .not lled out by the entrants and as indicated by the legend 24. Substantially below the line I4 are two lines 25 and 26 for further identifying the entrants, as for example by address, code number or both.

The entrants lill out the entrance part of the form 1li prio-r to payment of the required fee to a cashier. The form, with the entrance part 12 filled out, is taken to the cashier together with the appropriate entrance fee. As Ithe fee is taken, the parts 11 and l2 are separated one from the other and, at the same time, corresponding numbers (FIGS. 2 and 3, respectively) are imprinted upon the respective form parts 11 and 12. The numbers, in this instance, SNSB, indicate that the entrants are assigned to table 3, north-south, in section B, and also that the required entrance fee has been paid.

One of the entrant-s keeps the private score part 11 and later lls out the form as to conventions. On the reverse `side of the part 11 (not shown) is imprinted a standard traveling score form, such as published by the American Contract Bridge League of New York City. The part l1 may be folded along the line 27 so -as to form a folder to conceal the record of scores kept. The player who scores the tournament, by glancing at the traveling score and noting the receipt number, will be able properly to ll out the score slips and thus avoid a source of scoring error.

The entrance parts 12 are retained by the cashier. They are readily assembled for posting of entrants at some suitable location in the tournament playing area or adjacent thereto. To facilitate the assembly of the cards, each card has a horizontal slit 28l and, in addition, a ap 29 formed by cuts 30 and 31. The flap Z9 of one entrance part can be installed over the edge or ledge 28 of another part so that the parts can be endlessly strung together with each part suspending the card below, revealing the identification of the entrants, substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5.

At the conclusion of the tournament, the score of the team can be entered in the space 21.

In order to report the Winners to the sponsoring organization, the cards of the winners are simply extracted from the string and appropriate legends imprinted, as at the circle 32, to indicate the results of the corresponding entrants. Thus the top card in FIG. 3 reveals that team SNS was lst out of a section of say 14 tables. Optionally, cards corresponding to the winners can be reassembled and displayed in the same manner as indicated in FIG. 3.

It Will be seen that, by the aid of the form described, substantial economies are effected.

I claim:

l. A duplicate bridge entrance form comprising two parts connected together by a perforate line, one part being a private score and the other part having spaces for entering the names of the entrants `along a line closely paralleling the perforate line, said other p-art having die cut slot means forming a tab or flap below said spaces, the dimension of the tab or flap corresponding to the transverse dimension of said space, said tab or flap being designed to interfit the slot means of like other parts for detachable series suspension in staggered relationship to expose said spaces in contiguous array.

2. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the ldirectors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, one part having indicia to comprise a private score land the `other part having indicia for entering the names of the extrants and the score results thereof, whereby a code identication of entrants may be substantially simultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as a decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, and whereby the said parts may be respectively used by the entrants and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said code identication on said parts and subsequent to mutual detachment of said parts, 'and whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said other part having a pair of suspension means, one of the means being hanger means and the other of the means being recess means for receiving and interlocking the hanger means of other like parts whereby a series of said other parts may be serially suspended from one such other part to expose the names of entrants on all of said other parts,

3. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the directors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, one par-t having indicia to comprise a private score `and the other part having indicia for entering the names of lthe entrants and the score results thereof, whereby a code identiication of entrants may be substantially simultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as a decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, and whereby the said parts may be respectively used by the entrants and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said c-ode identification on said parts and subsequent to mutual detachment of said parts, and whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said parts being detachably connected together `along a perforate line, said other part having spaces for entering the names of the entrants along a line closely paralleling said perforate line, together with corresponding indicia, whereby said other parts may be arr-ayed in mutually staggered relationship to ydisplay the tournament results; said other part having a pair of suspension means, one of the means being hanger means and the lother of the means being recess means for receiving and interlocking the hanger means of other like parts whereby a series `of said other parts may be serially suspended from one such other part to expose the names of entrants on all of said other parts.

4. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the directors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, one part having indicia to comprise a private score `and the other par-t having indicia for entering the names of the entrants and the score results thereof, whereby a code identification of entrants may be substantiallysimultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as a decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, and whereby the said parts may be respectively used by the entrants and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said code identification on said parts and subsequent to mutual detachment of said parts, and whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said parts being detachably connected together along a perforate line, said other part having a line closely paralleling said perforate line and defining an elongated space located along the edge of said other'part, said other part also having indicia transversely dividing said space into one section for placement of the names of the entrants, and `another section for said code identication; said other part having a pair of suspension means, one of the means being hanger means and the other of the means being recess means for receiving and interlocking the hanger means of other like parts whereby la series of said other pans may be serially suspended from one such other part to expose the names of entrants and the code identification on all of said other parts.

S. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the directors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, `one part having indicia to comprise a private score and the other part having indicia for entering the names of the entrants and lthe score results thereof, whereby a code identification of entrants may be substantially simultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as a decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, and whereby the said parts m-ay be respectively used by the entran-ts and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said code identification on said parts and subsequent to mutual detachment of said parts, Aand whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said parts being detachably connected together along a perforate line, said other part having a line closely paralleling said perforate line and defining an elongated space located along the edge of said other part, said other part also having indicia transversely dividing said space into one section for placemen-t of the names of the entrants, and still another section for the score achieved by the entrants; said other part having a pair of suspension means, one of the means being hanger means and the other of the means being recess means for receiving and interlocking the hanger means of other like parts whereby a series of said other parts may be serially suspended from one such other part to expose the names of entrants, the code identification and the score on all of said other parts.

6. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the directors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, one part having indicia to comprise a private score and the other part having indicia for entering the names of the entrants and the score results thereof, whereby a code identification of entrants may be substantially simultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as a decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, and whereby the said parts may be respectively used by the entrants and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said code identification on said parts and subsequent to mutual detachment of said parts, and whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said other part having die cut slot means forming a tab or flap as well as a suspension ledge whereby the tab or iiap of one of said other parts may be installed over the ledge of a like other part to array said other parts in staggered relationship and with each part suspending the succeeding other part, the said staggered relationship exposing the said spaces.

7. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the directors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, one part having indicia to comprise a private score and the other part having indicia for entering the names of the entrants and the score results thereof, whereby a code identification of entrants may be substantially simultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as a decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, land whereby the said parts may be respectively used by the entrants and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said code identification on said parts and subsequent to mutual detachment of said parts, and whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said parts being detachably connected together along a perforate line, said other part having spaces for entering the names of the entrants along a line closely paralleling said perforate line, together with corresponding indicia, whereby said other parts may be arrayed in mutually staggered relationship to display the tournament results; other part has die cut slot means forming a tab or flap as well as a suspension ledge Whereby the tab or ap of one of said other parts may be installed over the ledge of a like other part to array said other parts in staggered relationship and with each part suspending the succeeding other part, the said `staggered relationship exposing the names of entrants.

8. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the directors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, one part 'having indicia to comprise a private score and the other part having indicia for entering the names of the entrants yand the score results thereof, whereby a code identification of entrants may be substantially simultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as a decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, and whereby the said parts may be respectively used by the entrants and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said code identification on said parts and subsequent t-o mutual detachment of said parts, and whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said parts being detachably connected together along a perforate line, sai-d other part having a line closely paralleling said perforate line and defining an elongated space located along the edge of said other part, said other part also having indicia transversely dividing said space into one section for placement of the names of the entrants, and another section for said code identification; said other part has die cut slot means forming a tab or fiap as Well as a suspension ledge whereby the tab or flap of one of said other parts may be installed over the ledge of a like other part to array said other parts in staggered relationship and with each part suspending the succeeding other part, the said staggered relationship exposing the names of entrants and the code identification.

9. An entrance form for a duplicate bridge tournament for use both by the directors thereof and by the entrants thereof: two parts made from common stock material, and connected together for ready detachment, one part having indicia to comprise a private score and the other part having indicia for entering the names of the entrants and the score results thereof, whereby a code identification of entrants may be substantially simultaneously applied to both of said parts to serve `as a receipt for entrance fees and as a table assignment on said private score part, and to serve as ia decoding indicia to coordinate the score results with the entrants on the other of said parts, and whereby the said parts may be respectively used by the entrants and the directors for such purposes subsequent to the placement of said code identification on said parts and subsequent to mutual detachment of said parts, and whereby separate distribution of entrance forms and private scores is obviated; said parts being detachably connected together along a perforate line, said other part having a line closely paralleling said perforate line and defining an elongated space located along the edge of said other part, said other part also having indicia transversely dividing said space into one section for placement of the names of the entrants, and still another section for the score achieved by the entrants; said other part has die cut slot means forming a tab or flap as well as a suspension ledge whereby the tab or flap of one of said other parts may be installed over the ledge of a like other part to array said other parts in staggered relationship and with each part suspending the succeeding other part, the said staggered relationship exposing the names of entrants, the code identification and the score.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 806,662 12/ 1905 Hammond 283-49 998,167 7/ 1911 Gardiner 283-49 1,199,692 9/1916 Greenstein 283-23 X 1,272,525 7/1918 Rand 129--16 1,302,848 5/1919 Rand 129-16 FOREIGN PATENTS 29,706 10/ 1931 Australia.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

1. A DUPLICATE BRIDGE ENTRANCE FORM COMPRISING TWO PARTS CONNECTED TOGETHER BY A PERFORATE LINE, ONE PART BEING A PRIVATE SCORE AND THE OTHER PART HAVING SPACES FOR ENTERING THE NAMES OF THE ENTRANTS ALONG A LINE CLOSELY PARALLELING THE PERFORATE LINE, SAID OTHER PART HAVING DIE CUT SLOT MEANS FORMING A TAB OR FLAP BELOW SAID SPACES, THE DIMENSION OF THE TAB OR FLAP CORRESPONDING TO THE TRANSVERSE DIMENSION OF SAID SPACE, SAID TAB OR FLAP BEING DESIGNED TO INTERFIT THE SLOT MEANS OF LIKE OTHER PARTS FOR DETACHABLE SERIES SUSPENSION IN STAGGERED RELATIONSHIP TO EXPOSE SAID SPACES IN CONTIGUOUS ARRAY. 